Help me with my new suspension please....

[chanlon1]

Had my car up on a ramp last night and noticed that the drivers front shock absorber was leaking badly. I doubt it would get through another MOT.
So, new front ones are required.
Now this gives me the chance to look at also getting new springs as I would like to lower the car a bit to allow the arches to be filled out better.

So I have a 2006 Coupe, with the M Sport suspension.
I am running standard 18" wheels.
I would like to drop the car a bit with a new set up.
I am not interested in coilovers.

Current research says to go for Bilstein B4, and Eibach Pro springs.

Would that be okay?

thanks

[True-Blue]

Yes, either that or Sachs struts. Both available from AUTODOC on the app.

I’d replace the rear struts too, as if they’re original they’ll be useless too.

[enuff_zed]

Yes, either that or Sachs struts. Both available from AUTODOC on the app.

I’d replace the rear struts too, as if they’re original they’ll be useless too.

You can't get Sachs for the coupe rear any more I discovered. Perfectly acceptable to mix them but you may wish to go Bilstein all round?

[chanlon1]

The rear struts looked fine....as in they looked 17yrs old But there was not leaking/weeping. I guess it would be seen to be cheapskate to only replace the fronts.....

Would the combo of B4's and Eibach Pro then drop the car a few mm in height, but not enough to cause problems?

[enuff_zed]

The rear struts looked fine....as in they looked 17yrs old But there was not leaking/weeping.

Ifr they have done more than 50k they are buggered, no matter what they 'look' like.
Bear in mind it is the gas escaping that knackers them, not oil.
An extra £100 per corner (plus springs if needed).
You know it makes sense.

[chanlon1]

The rear struts looked fine....as in they looked 17yrs old But there was not leaking/weeping.

Ifr they have done more than 50k they are buggered, no matter what they 'look' like.
Bear in mind it is the gas escaping that knackers them, not oil.
An extra £100 per corner (plus springs if needed).
You know it makes sense.

They've done 120k So not sure what comes on the scale after "buggered" ..........

So having never worried about suspension in a car before, does the strut come with everything (except the spring) that is needed to install it?
Is there anything I need to take off the old parts, to reuse??? Or should I just buy whatever is needed to ensure I have brand new stuff going on and nothing lingering from 120k miles??

[enuff_zed]

Struts, top mounts, bump stops, dust covers and new knuckle bolts for the front.
Do NOT use Meyle HD top mounts on the rear! Terrible design allows metal on metal and they knock like mad. Get Lemforder front and rear.
You can reuse the rubber spring seats and the front top spring plates unless they are badly corroded

[pvr]

enuff_zed, almost sounds like you know what you are talking about

[True-Blue]

The rear struts looked fine....as in they looked 17yrs old But there was not leaking/weeping.

Ifr they have done more than 50k they are buggered, no matter what they 'look' like.
Bear in mind it is the gas escaping that knackers them, not oil.
An extra £100 per corner (plus springs if needed).
You know it makes sense.

They've done 120k So not sure what comes on the scale after "buggered" ..........

So having never worried about suspension in a car before, does the strut come with everything (except the spring) that is needed to install it?
Is there anything I need to take off the old parts, to reuse??? Or should I just buy whatever is needed to ensure I have brand new stuff going on and nothing lingering from 120k miles??

A 4 year old child would be able to push the piston fully into the body of the shock…. And it won’t come back out on its own

[True-Blue]

Struts, top mounts, bump stops, dust covers and new knuckle bolts for the front.
Do NOT use Meyle HD top mounts on the rear! Terrible design allows metal on metal and they knock like mad. Get Lemforder front and rear.
You can reuse the rubber spring seats and the front top spring plates unless they are badly corroded

This, I’ve done quite a few of these now and it’s a false economy to skimp

[pvr]

Indeed, I don’t want your alpina with knackered suspension

[True-Blue]

The rear struts looked fine....as in they looked 17yrs old But there was not leaking/weeping. I guess it would be seen to be cheapskate to only replace the fronts.....

Would the combo of B4's and Eibach Pro then drop the car a few mm in height, but not enough to cause problems?

This was Sachs and Eibach pro, not a coupe but you get the idea… should sit similar to this

IMG_1581.jpeg (228.79 KiB) Viewed 563 times

[chanlon1]

This was Sachs and Eibach pro, not a coupe but you get the idea… should sit similar to this
IMG_1581.jpeg

Is that on 18"s??

[True-Blue]

This was Sachs and Eibach pro, not a coupe but you get the idea… should sit similar to this
IMG_1581.jpeg

Is that on 18"s??

Yes, they’re genuine 405m’s

[chanlon1]

Thanks - I've started to add items to the Autodoc trolley....I'm currently sitting at £520
And even then I'm not sure I have everything...........let me add what I think I need and then put it up here.

I'd like to be able to build the new struts whilst the car is still moveable, so ideally I can't transfer any parts over.
Therefore, in addition to these...anything else needed?
Struts
top mounts
bump stops
dust covers
knuckle bolts for the front.